Nathan Yoder - Zurich, Switzerland

Nathan, a Materials Engineering senior from Ft. Wayne, IN, spent Spring Semester 2001 studying and conducting research at the Technical University of Zurich, Switzerland. In addition to taking classes in Zurich, Nathan conducted research in the ceramics group. Ceramic materials research Laboratory of Professor Ludwig Gauckler, One of the leading scientists developing new ceramic materials. Professor Gauckler's research ranges from biomedical applications to electronic applications. Nathan conducted research on new processing techniques for materials with electronic applications. I studied abroad during the second semester and summer of my junior year. I studied at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich, Switzerland (see pictures below). I chose the ETH mainly because it was a German-speaking program that offered a semester exchange program in my major of Materials Science & Engineering (MSE).

During my 4 months at the ETH, I had the opportunity to take classes both in my major and in other disciplines as well. The materials classes that I took include: Composite materials (German), Processing & Properties of Polymers (German & English), and Surfaces & Interfaces (English). I also took several German classes in order to learn the language. I was able to get credit for the classes, although I had gotten the materials classes approved before I left, so I knew that the credits would transfer.

In addition to classes, I was also involved in a research project with Professor Ludwig Gauckler of the Ceramic Materials Group at the ETH where I worked on micro patterning of ceramic structures, and processing of high temperature superconducting devices. I spent about 10 hrs/week in the lab with these two projects, becoming more familiar with ceramic processing and applications as well as the research environment in general.

During the semester, I lived in a house for other international students (see photo below) located about 15 minutes from the city with the train, which ran to my suburb every 15 minutes during the day. There I had the opportunity to meet other exchange students from all over the world, as well as practice my German. I took frequent weekend trips with some of these students both within Switzerland as well as to Italy, France, and Germany. Zurich was the ideal location for such trips, since it is only 4.5 hrs from Munich, 3 hrs from Geneva, 3 from Milan, and 6 from Paris!

Zurich itself is a very beautiful city, located at the meeting of the river Limmat and Lake Zurich, and on clear days you can see the Swiss Alps in the distance. Despite being the largest city in Switzerland (pop. 300, 000), Zurich nevertheless has a small-town feel, and one can easily explore the narrow, cobbled streets of the old town on foot. Zurich was also one of the centers of the Reformation in Switzerland, illustrated by the imposing Grossmunster Cathedral, which towers over the city.

After the semester ended on July 6, I had 4 weeks free to travel around Western Europe. With a friend, I visited Italy, Austria, Germany, France, Ireland, Scotland and England. We traveled mainly by train between the cities, and stayed in hostels for the most part, except when we were able to visit friends that we knew.

Overall, I had an amazing time and I would recommend the study abroad program to anyone and everyone who can do it. If you would like information regarding Study Abroad Programs at Purdue, go to their web page. Also see the ETH web site and their materials home page. If you have any other questions for me, email me at nyoder4@purdue.edu.